36-DAY / 35-NIGHT GROUP TOUR
EAST COAST EXPLORER
5-WEEK SYDNEY TO CAIRNS | EAST COAST AUSTRALIA
Prices start from
$5,219
Save 10%
$5,799
Tour charges are in AUD. Secure your date with a deposit today. See our booking policy for full terms.

36 DAY / 35-NIGHT GROUP TOUR

EAST COAST EXPLORER

5-WEEK SYDNEY TO CAIRNS | EAST COAST AUSTRALIA

5.0 Rating - 1078 Traveller Reviews
Prices start from
$5,219
Save 10%
$5,799
Tour charges are in AUD. Secure your date with a deposit today. See our booking policy for full terms.

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TRIP OVERVIEW

Get ready for an epic guided group adventure on the Ultimate East Coast Australia Explorer tour from Sydney to Cairns. Discover amazing Aussie locations, have heaps of fun, create unforgettable memories and make friends for life! We’ll show you the very best spots along the East Coast including Byron Bay, Brisbane, Magnetic Island & Cairns! We’ll sail around the Whitsunday Islands, camp on Fraser Island, party in Surfer’s Paradise, spot Aussie wildlife, snorkel the Great Barrier Reef & more!

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS

  • Spend 2 nights camping and exploring on K’gari
  • Sail around the gorgeous Whitsundays on a 2 Night Boat Trip
  • Snorkel the Great Barrier Reef!
  • Free time in each location to customise your experience — your adventure, your way
  • Fully guided by a group leader
  • Take in the best stops on the East Coast, including Sydney, Byron Bay, Brisbane and Cairns
  • Coach transport to all the most popular stops on the East Coast
  • Award-winning trip and tour!
East Coast Explorer Map
  • Accommodation & Group Leader – 33 nights accommodation plus 2 overnight coach journeys included., Fully guided by your dedicated ULTIMATE Group Leader from Sydney to Cairns.
  • Transport – All East Coast transport included throughout the tour.
  • Sydney Highlights – Explore Sydney on a guided city tour at the start of your trip.
  • Byron Bay – Visit Cape Byron Lighthouse at Australia’s most easterly point., Learn to surf with an included Byron Bay surf lesson.
  • Gold Coast & Brisbane – Visit Surfers Paradise Beach and explore the famous coastal strip., Discover Brisbane’s Southbank and city highlights.
  • Noosa & Rainbow Beach – Explore Noosa National Park and complete the scenic headland walk., Experience the unique Rainbow Beach Sand Blow.
  • K’gari (Fraser Island) Adventure – Travel across the full island on a multi day camping experience., Visit Lake McKenzie, Eli Creek and Champagne Pools.
  • Whitsundays Sailing – 2 day and 2 night sailing adventure through the Whitsunday Islands., Visit Whitehaven Beach and Hill Inlet., Celebrate with a post cruise party in Airlie Beach.
  • Magnetic Island – Return ferry transfer and guided Fort’s Walk included., Explore national park trails and look out for local wildlife.
  • North Queensland Highlights – Visit Mission Beach and experience the tropical coastline., Relax at the Cairns Lagoon in the heart of the city.
  • Great Barrier Reef Day Trip – Full day snorkelling trip on the Great Barrier Reef.
  • Atherton Tablelands Day Trip – Explore waterfalls and rainforest landscapes on a full day tour.
  • Meals & Extras – 15 meals included throughout the tour., Optional activities available at most destinations.

DAY 1–5 | Sydney & Byron Bay

Your Ultimate East Coast adventure kicks off in Sydney with a guided city tour and orientation at Ultimate HQ, before an overnight coach north. Wake up in Byron Bay — the boho heart of the coast — for beach days, a 2-hour surf lesson, a private yoga session, the iconic lighthouse walk and buzzing markets. Beachfront base at WakeUp Hostel Byron Bay.

DAY 6–8 | Surfers Paradise

Next stop, Surfers Paradise — endless nightlife, long sandy beaches and golden-hour markets. Explore the town and beaches, then get dressed up for a night out at our favourite bars. Optional SkyPoint tower views, stand-up paddle boarding or jet boating. You’ll stay at BUNK Hostel.

DAY 9–11 | Brisbane

Discover Brisbane’s best bits on a guided orientation walk — man-made Streets Beach, the South Bank cultural hub, the Brisbane sign and Queen Street Mall. Free days to visit Australia Zoo or snorkel the Moreton shipwrecks (optional). Right in the middle of it all at BUNK Hostel Brisbane.

DAY 12–13 | Noosa

Tropical greenery, wildlife and gorgeous beaches — Noosa is a stunner. Hike the coastal headlands of Noosa National Park, swim the Fairy Pools, chase sunset at Laguna Lookout, or grab a free board from the hostel. Two nights at Flashpackers Noosa.

DAY 14–18 | Rainbow Beach & K’gari (Fraser Island)

Gateway to the world’s largest sand island. Jump in a 4×4 for an epic K’gari adventure — swim the crystal-clear waters of Lake McKenzie, bathe in the champagne pools, cruise the beach highway and camp just metres from the sand. Stays at Freedom Hostel Rainbow Beach and beachside camping on K’gari.

DAY 19–24 | Airlie Beach & the Whitsundays

Dip into Airlie’s famous harbourfront lagoon before the main event: a multi-day sail through the stunning Whitsunday islands. Snorkel pristine blue waters, set foot on world-famous Whitehaven Beach, sleep onboard under the stars, and celebrate back on land at the legendary After Boat Party. Base at Nomads Hostel Airlie Beach plus nights aboard the sailing boat.

DAY 25–27 | Magnetic Island

Hop the ferry to “Maggie” — home to wild koalas, wallabies and golden beaches. Snorkel the island waters, tackle the guided Forts Walk for epic views and wildlife, or hire a topless 4×4 jeep to explore. Beachside bar nights at Nomads Magnetic Island.

DAY 28–29 | Mission Beach

Where the rainforest meets the reef. Soak up the jungle vibes, explore the Djiru National Park, or get the adrenaline going with white-water rafting in Tully (optional). Nights at Jackaroo Hostel.

DAY 30–36 | Cairns & the Great Barrier Reef

The Ultimate finale — five days in Cairns, gateway to the Great Barrier Reef. Snorkel the outer reef with turtles and stingrays, chase waterfalls and natural rock slides across the Atherton Tablelands, relax at the Cairns lagoon and dive into the backpacker nightlife. Optional skydive over the reef! Wrap it up with a farewell dinner. Home base: Gilligans Resort.

WHERE WE STAY

The Ultimate East Coast Australia Explorer tour includes 33 nights accommodation and 2 overnight buses.

  • 29-nights are spent in dorm share accommodation in the very best hostels on the Aussie East Coast. You’ll be staying in a beachfront hostel, resort-style flashpacker accommodation and centrally located properties close to the best experiences at each stop.
  • You’ll also spend 2 nights sailing around the Whitsunday Islands and 2-nights camping on K’gari (Fraser Island.)
  • Accommodation is based on 4-12 bed shared dorm arrangements.
  • Twin share and Private  rooms upgrades are available.
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BOOK TOUREast Coast Explorer | 5 Week
Pay Today: $300 AUD per person
Final payment due 45 days before your tour.

To make your booking, select your chosen departure date and any optional extras you would like to book. If you are unsure about optional extras or if you need additional accommodation before or after your tour, you can let us know later via email.

We'll send you a booking confirmation as well as important information about your tour. You can make payments on your tour balance sooner, or regularly, via our website here. A non refundable 5.25% booking processing fee applies to each booking, calculated on the value of your booking.

Travelling solo? Great! Most of the people you meet on tour will also be on a solo adventure! If you are curious as to who you could be travelling with, or want to make some friends before arriving, join our Travel Community and reach out to your potential new travel mates!

Booking with ULTIMATE is easy! We take payments securely via Mastercard or Visa Credit and Debit Card and we will charge you in Australian Currency (AUD). Your deposit is flexible and if you can no longer travel, you can save your deposit for a later trip or destination if you notify us 30 days before your scheduled tour date.

Making your booking is easy. Choose a date below, and if you have any questions about extras, deposits, or meeting other travellers, just get in touch — we're happy to help.

TRIP FAQS

The Ultimate East Coast Australia Explorer (5 Week) and Explorer + Sydney (6 Week) start in Sydney on Mondays (Thursdays or Saturdays) at 11.30am and ends in Cairns on Mondays (Thursdays or Saturdays) at 10am. At the end of your adventure your Group Leader can help you to arrange onward travel.

Main Tour Meeting Point: WakeUp Hostel Sydney Central at 11.30am.

Tour End Point: Gilligan’s Hostel and Resort Cairns at 10am on checkout.

Guided tours include a tour leader and set itinerary throughout; self-guided packages (like East Coast Essentials) include accommodation and transport but let you set your own pace.

You’ll be travelling with a group of 18-30-somethings from all over the world, and an ULTIMATE Group Leader. Group sizes vary but you can generally expect to travel with a group of approximately 10-20 people.

We stay at some of the most popular hostels along the Australian East Coast. All prices are based on shared accommodation in 4 – 12 share dorm style rooms.

Twin and private room upgrades are available to book but are subject to availability and single supplement charges. Note: Twin and Private room upgrades are not available on the Whitsundays, Fraser Island or overnight buses. Twin and Single room upgrades may still have shared bathroom facilities.

Various activity add-ons on your way up the East Coast coast including: Skydive, Bungy Jump, white Water Rafting, Waterfall tours and More! You are able to add your extras to your experience when making your booking or you can book with your Group Leader once the tour commences. A full list of optional activities is made available to you prior to your tour starting. Please note that optional activities are subject to availability and additional booking terms and conditions.

If you need additional nights before or after your Ultimate East Coast Australia Explorer tour, just add them to your booking when you checkout. Not sure if you need extra nights? Get in touch to chat with a member of the crew before or after you book. If you are arriving early into Sydney or want to explore more of the harbour city before starting your trip, book our 6 Week East Coast Explorer tour which includes an entire week in Sydney prior to connecting with the 5 Week East Coast Explorer tour.

We include an Orientation Walk at most stops of our itinerary. It is a short and guided walk with your group leader when you arrive at a new destination. It’s designed to help you get your bearings, understand the layout of the area, and learn where everything is. We’ll show you key landmarks, main streets, transport points, and local hangouts. You’ll also get insider tips on food, nightlife, activities, and the best ways to spend your free time. Our Orientation Walks are not formal, history heavy tours. While we’ll share some fun facts and local insights, the focus is on helping you experience the destination rather than providing an in depth historical guide. Most Orientation Walks take around 10 to 30 minutes depending on the destination. Orientation Walks are included in most itinerary stops where it adds value and helps you get familiar with the destination.

We are unable to book flights, but we always recommend using online search engines to research the best available flight routes, prices and times. To ease your experience, we suggest booking via a Travel Agent or directly with your preferred airline.

Travel insurance is required to participate in this tour. We recommend that you find and compare various policies to ensure you have an appropriate level of coverage for you adventure. Not sure where to start? You can find some trusted Travel Insurers here.

We have done our best to include all fees and charges but there are some key touring components that are required to be paid on arrival whilst on tour.

Fraser Island Insurance Fee ($20 AUD) – Paid direct on arrival
Fraser Island Sleeping Bag Hire ($10AUD) – Paid direct if required
Great Barrier Reef Conservation Levy ($20 AUD) Paid direct on arrival
Whitsundays National Park EMC Levy ($30 AUD) Paid direct on arrival

Optional Activity Levies – Whilst on tour, various local activity operators may charge a levy that is to be paid direct on the day your activity takes place. These will be communicated to you when booking any optional activities. A local ‘levy’ is generally a tax or administration fee.

Australia has no shortage of incredible food and when travelling on our East Coast tours, we make sure we include some iconic Australian BBQs. Please refer to the tour itinerary and inclusions for a list of included meals, but please note that meals are generally not included and we recommend you account for meals and drinks in your budgeting

An airport shuttle on arrival is included for guests flying into Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport (SYD). During the booking process, or once you have booked your flights, supply us with your full flight details and we’ll arrange your Sydney Super Shuttle to take you to the tour meeting point at WakeUp Central Hostel. You can arrive up to three days before your tour starts and we’ll ensure a transfer is available to you. Closer to your tour start date we’ll supply you with full details on where to meet your shuttle at the airport. If you do not receive this email at least one week before your tour then please contact us.

Please note that if you are flying into Western Sydney International Airport (WSI), an airport shuttle is not included — please contact us and we can advise on the best way to reach the meeting point.

Yes! Our East Coast Explorer tour range is suited to travellers who want to travel at a reasonable pace and tailor their experience to their preferences. Each stop along our journey to Cairns will have some free time for you to explore with our group and on your own.

In most cases, we can cater to Vegetarian and Gluten Free diets. We will make every effort to cater to all other diets and needs, but we are unable to guarantee this will be possible in every location we visit. Unfortunately we can not cater for tastes or dislikes. We will ask you to re-confirm any dietary requirements with your Group Leader at the start of your trip.

If you have an existing medical condition or disability that may affect your trip or how we deliver our experience, we ask that you inform us in writing at the time of your booking. You may be asked to obtain a medical certificate and if we reasonably feel we are unable to accommodate your particular needs, we reserve the right to decline your booking.

On our Group Tours, your transport and accommodation along with the meals and activities listed on the itinerary are all included in your tour price. While you are travelling you may wish to participate in additional activities which you will need to budget for. While travelling you may wish to eat and drink out or you may plan to cook and prepare some of your own meals.

As a guide, we recommend you budget an additional $80 – $100 AUD per day for spending money. Please note that all travellers are different and you may wish to travel with additional spending money. There are amazing optional activities and food options on offer on the East Coast and if you desire to experience most of them, you may wish to budget for additional spending money.

Our East Coast Explorer tours are designed for travellers 18-35 that wish to experience the best of the East Coast. Some travellers will be on Gap Years and others will be on short holiday breaks looking to have fun, meet new people and experience Australia. Our tours are Social and Fun and our itineraries are designed for those who are eager to travel and experience their ULTIMATE Travel Moment. You should join us if you are looking to meet other travellers, make the most of every moment and experience the best of the East Coast.

We travel from Sydney to Great Barrier Reef via public transport, train and coaches. Our point to point transport feature air-conditioning, leather reclining seats, Wifi, in-seat USB chargers, and onboard toilets. We travel a whopping 2,420.2 km between Sydney and Cairns and to make the most of our time in each location, we use two overnight coach services to travel, so we arrive rested, refreshed and ready for our next adventure!

Yes. It is mandatory that you travel with a comprehensive travel insurance policy to cover the likes of cancellation, personal injury and medical expenses. By joining us on tour, you acknowledge that you have obtained a policy and are covered. You are responsible for reading and understanding the details of the policy that you are taking out. You should book your travel insurance at the time of booking your trip.

Looking to book a departure date that is already fully booked? You can join our waiting list for a specific tour date via the tour page. When you join our waitlist, you are required to provide a credit card to verify your waitlist request. We will not charge your card at the time of the waitlist. If a tour space becomes available, we will notify you via email and charge your card once you reconfirm your participation. If you wish to join the waitlist for multiple dates, please join the waitlist for your first preferred date and enter your travel period in the booking notes.

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